I have been a life long Muslim, however I left Islam in 2013 and became Christian in 2019. That said, I am interested in Mormonism, because it seems like they practice what they preach. I actually was raised in a Mormon town for 22 years, but never converted, however now I am thinking about it again.
I was born in the church. I was 16 years old when I was converted. My testimony of the restored church of Jesus Christ grew bigger when I served a mission. Thank you for this video. I felt the spirit :)
Kwaku and David, I set foot into The Church today because of you two, and Truman G. Madsen. I was not invited by anyone including Missionaries. The Church was ebulliently overflowing with the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful church and set of people's
I found it interesting as a missionary that I came across so many people from catholic and Protestant up bringings that told people "don't look into that" and "stop studying just accept it on faith". Where as my experience was uchdorf told us to KEEP asking questions and stay open to the spirit and he promised we would find answers. That was a huge moment I knew it was the true church. Especially when I did ask questions and I eventually came across answers. I recently had a question I waited 13 years to find an answer to. But it came as I stayed faithful.
Stephanie Gardner We are so happy for you!! If you want to send us your conversion story, shoot us a DM or email show@3mormons.com :) We'd love to hear from you!
I'm in the same place I went for the first time last Sunday. I'm going again this Sunday I haven't actually converted yet either but I'm loving looking into it so far!
Thank you for this. I always say, even though I was raised LDS (although I was inactive for over a decade), I have been converted and it always bothers me when church members identify people as "converts" as I truly believe at one point or another, we have all become converted or we wouldn't continue to be members of our church. It may not be a miraculous event (mine kind of was, to me, at least) but like you said, the conversion continues with daily actions and faith building experiences. I appreciate this video and hope that more "life time" members talk about their conversation and the experiences that confirmed their beliefs when they share their testimonies. Thank you.
I have a very long history in the church from the very beginning. I'm thankful for my pioneer heritage, however it's not there history that will convert me, or anyone else in my family. It's my Faith, and my hard work and taking the time to read scriptures, to ponder them and praying about it that will determine my testimony! I'm a faithful saint I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I love feeling the spirit of God 🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏾 in the house of the Lord! I'm a Temple worker, and I know for myself with know doubts that the church is true! Not because my heritage say's I should be a member. 👍🏻💯💜🙏🏻🎄🎅🤶🦌
I remember a fireside talk from Hyrum Wayne Smith, and yes he is a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith the Brother of Joseph Smith. He talked about gaining a testimony and how he gained his. (He was an awesome speaker by the way.) Anyway, he said : "If you haven't doubted, you haven't thought. There is nothing wrong with doubting. There is something wrong with not doing anything about the doubts." It is important to remember while building our testimony that we must do as James and Moroni said - We must {ponder}, that is to question and think about, and study it out in our minds. Then we must pray with real intent, and believe that God will answer prayer. That takes faith, and a desire to know. Once we do that, God promises to answer our prayers with the Holy Ghost. Many have done this and received the promised answer, and so have I. This is the Lord's gospel. This is his church. It is led by him through prophets as it was of old. The Book of Mormon is a true work brought forth to testify along with the Bible that Jesus is the Christ and still directs the affairs of his people today. if we do this, we can have our own testimony of it's truthfulness for ourselves.
Mormonism cannot answer all questions, but, BUT, can lead in the right direction to answer all those questions. And that direction is the path of the Holy Ghost. And the HG can, CAN, answer all, ALL, questions. Nailed it.
This is amazing! These last few days I've been struggling with my faith bc of unanswered questions! I've been praying to God to help me stick more on what the Holy Ghost says, to strengthen my faith. This is very wonderful! Thank u so muchhh
Thank you David for this video. As someone who has had many good experiences in the church, but in all honesty struggles with whether or not it's true, your statement of having faith in the truthfulness of the church is really helpful for me. There are things I know, but many more I don't.
I truly appreciate your comment, ijn22. It's great to hear that my video was helpful for you. It's common for people to have doubts and questions, especially when it comes to matters of faith. I believe that having a strong foundation of faith in the truthfulness of the church, as well as being open to learning and exploring, can lead to a deeper understanding and personal testimony of the gospel. I encourage you to continue seeking answers to your questions and to pray for guidance. The journey of faith can be challenging at times, but it can also bring immense joy and fulfillment.
I love your comment, @ijn22. It takes courage to say “I don’t know” if the Church is true. Let God answer your questions, for He has all truth. ❤ Ask Him, in faith, truly desiring to know if the Church is true, and He will help you feel it in your heart. There is so much I don’t understand, but as David mentioned, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ does answer the most important questions, and I find peace and joy in living the gospel. Good luck with your honest seeing for truth. God bless!
Thanks David. Just wanted say that all of life is faith. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I have faith that is will be good and that whatever may come, I will persevere. Everything we do is preceded by faith, going to bed, getting up, going to work, doing stuff around the house, cooking, all of it comes by faith and hope and hopefully love. Anyway, peace to all this Easter.
Another great video that I'm glad I stayed up to binge watch. I too served in the Juarez area as a young man, though I was completely unaware at the time that was actually what I was doing. I thought I was building a fast food empire. It turns out that God was working in me, even then, to feed the hungry and introduce Christ like business practices. Your encounter with the Catholic theologian (twice) was surely a great work of God in you, bearing fruit even now in your more recent theology broken down videos. It is likely that the greatest challenger of your mission is somehow now among your greatest inspirations to excel in that area.
I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but I wasn't converted until I was 20; that was when the realities of life hit me square in the face. Follow David's council and you will make it through with the Lord, and His Spirit as your guide.
about the prayers, how do you expect get closer to heavenly father when all the prayers in the church are all the same, how do you expect him to answer when you even can't share your initiate thoughts with him in your prayer? The next one would be; why is the church so focused on the guilt for crucifying the Christ? Why is the church so focused on the Crucifixion instead of the resurrection? The fact that Christ has conquered the death and promised us the same is far more important in my opinion than he got crucified. I would also like to talk about the politics inside the church but this got nothing to do with the faith, in my opinion the church is way too politicized, the pope gets into politics way too much, the whole rivialization for the offices in the church, why are the good priests that serve and don't make much profit for the church are shunned away? I could also ask about the office of priest, but I can understand how historically he process of being ordained as a priest in catholic church worked, but you could make lots of arguments about the office now. Like I'm in the LDS church for over a year and I could be given malzakiedek(or how do you spell it) priesthood but I'm still The Aaronic priest because I don't feel ready and worthy of the higher priesthood.
Anty Rak, you know you're ready when you don't think you're ready. The first time I went to the Temple, I didn't think I was ready. I was only 12 years old and still getting over some doubts that I had. My grandfather had passed away just 6 months after I was baptized (I was 8 years old) and I was really struggling with the Eternal Family thing. My grandfather wasn't a member and I didn't think that it was possible that Heavenly Father would ever let me see him again. I still had some questions and, frankly, doubts the first time I went to the Temple. I am currently 16. I have been to the Temple many times since I was 12 and the last time I went to the Temple, I was honored to hear the words: "Sister Smith; I baptize you for and in behalf of Joan Francis Smith." My grandma, who had passed away 8 months after my grandpa. I heard "Brother Cooper; I baptize you for and in behalf of Eldon George Smith." when my older brother took his place in the font and was baptized for my grandpa. My best (boy) friends dad was the Priesthood holder for both. From what I read, I can tell that you're strong in the gospel. I know this sounds corny, but it's true. Pray about it and I'll pray, too. The most ready people to do something, are the people who don't think that they are. God Speed, Brother. -Ace Smyth (Rachel Smith > Real name) (Annabeth Chase > Role Play character) (Ace Smyth > Nickname: Ace because take out R H L out of Rachel and Smyth because it the original spelling of my family's name)
Beautiful story, i agree with everything that you said. The church doesn't offer all the answers, sometimes we just have to walk by faith, but it sure beats living out in the world, which doesn't even offer hope or faith!
I personally just write whatever impressions come to me while listening to a talk. Even on some occasions I have written impressions that had nothing to do with a particular talk, but what the Spirit impressed upon me at the time instead. Personal revelation is what I seek, as I try my best to be in tune, and personal it is, so I suggest just making the notes that help you to remember your revelations, however small those impressions and thoughts seem to be. No one else will be seeing your notes anyway, unless you feel like sharing them. I have never heard a boring talk since I started to do this, because revelations are never boring to me. Just my two cents worth anyway.
Hey guys, we're new to the channel. Just discovered you. Love the content here. We're LDS and vlog about traveling with teens. I think you have a good point about being raised LDS...and probably why serving a mission is so important. It does challenge your testimony (as you point out).
Thanks for sharing. As I recall, the New Testament indicates that faith is the assurance of things that we don't see, which are true. Assurance is a spiritual sense of comfort or confidence, or divine witness. Belief may be placed in something unseen that may not be true. Faith motivates action. Belief may be static.
There is nothing wrong with being an intellectual convert. Exercise the faith you do have, invite the Spirit with the actions you can justify, and prove Christ's promises so that you can be ready to nourish those who seek more.
I took a buddy of mine (a missionary), we were both missionaries, to a party outside the mission. We had permission from the mission president. My friend who invited us was a NASA scientist, and she called the president, who in turn called us and said, go. My companion didn't want to go, but another missionary did, and the president gave us the mission van. The party was full of erudite people from many walks of life. My missionary friend Delvin Humble soon fell in to talking to a Jesuit priest, so I left him to seal his fate, for I was dumb, but not dumb enough to talk religion with a Jusuit! Of course, Delvin got eaten up, and on our way back to the mission, he castigated me for not coming to help him. “Listen, man, I didn't tell you to debate a Jesuit!” I told him. Anyway, that's my story.
I love, love, LOVE that you emphasize what you 'know'. I have faith that all these things are true. There have been times that I think God put me in a specific place to do work for him. That's all it is, faith, belief, and thoughts. I can't know those things. So many people testimonies say that "I know this church is true" and, I don't like that. I don't think it's accurate. "true" in that everything said to date is completely correct and can't be added on? 'True' as in it tells you everything you need to know? 'Know' as in faith is pointless because you've seen proof of the churches truthfulness? What does 'the church' entail? The people, culture, or doctrines? The more my faith and belief has grown, the more I don't like the saying "I know the church is true". I would much rather say "I believe that the atonement has helped me overcome some of my faults", or "I think that [insert thing church authority said here] is good to impliment in our lives." "true", "know", and "church" are too vague and inaccurate. I have a mission interview tomorrow, and I'm so excited to share this good thing with others it might help, even though I don't fully understand everything in it. I will never fully understand everything, because that's what progression is about. I am actively choosing to believe, but I have experiences to back that belief up. Your testimony rang true for me. Thank you, Sir!
Did you mean you believed all that God had revealed to you, all that he did then (and does now) reveal to you, and all that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God?
To put it in the most simple terms: It is a priesthood office of the higher priesthood and does not refer to a person's age. You have to be a worthy male of at least 18 years old to be called as an Elder. Timothy in the New testament was ordained an "Elder" by Paul while a young man. It is the lowest office of the Melchizedek priesthood. Missionaries use this title before their names while on their missions and general authorities use this title as well. Most Melchizedek priesthood holders generally do no use Elder as a title with their names.
I've been asked that many times since then. I usually just say that "Elder" was sort of another way of saying "teacher" in ancient times. So, while we may not be elderly in age, we do consider ourselves teachers.
Being a convert and serving a mission I would get ppl posing some self deprecation because they look at themselves in comparison. EVERYONE in this church or any church has to convert to some level. I did not join the church from NO faith whatsoever and some people have endured hardships I never faced. It doesnt mean your faith struggles are any less than anyone elses. I believe our struggles will garner mercy in the next life. Besides we know ppl with goodly parents, seminary grad, mission, temple marriage etc that said Naw Im done. Why some choose to stay and why some leave, is a mystery
Hi David, would you be willing to have a private conversation about mormonism? Just a nice civil and peaceful discussion. Perhaps give me your email... Hope to hear from you.
"Faith and reason are like two wings upon which we rise to the truth" Meaning no disrespect just want to push bacm on a few things in this testimony... This concept of merely praying about something and earnestly believing it then it must be true is self fallacious. I mean i am sure that the thousands of muslim and catholic martyrs believed even until death thst their belief was true... and the claims at around 9:30 that we can know xyz. How can we reliably beyond reasonable doubt believe that the mormon church is right?
The orthodox have an easy way to deal with this -- the Uncreated is a mystery and it is not for us to completely "get it" or have all the answers. Ever notice you don't see orthodox monks engaging in online religious debates? why do you think that is? I'm ok with faith, too.
For your assertion on the 'Uncreated' aspect you mentioned, there is logical flaws in it. The Diamond brothers at MHFM have videos refuting this. Check it out when you get a chance.
Your story is a works based salvation brother. Only Christ can save you. Turn from this false religion and run full speed to the bloody cross of Jesus Christ.
So, you keep the thumbnail of the life long member white man's "conversion story" and you kick the black man off of his thumbnail...guys. You're probably not racist, but you gotta know how this looks, right? Answers need to come. You can't ignore Kwaku anymore
Could someone please get that goldfish a bigger tank? It's recommended that one to two goldfish have a least a 20 gallon tank, they can have very long life spans if they are cared for properly . . . or get a beta fish they can thrive in small tanks!
Meg A Thank you for your concern. His home is actually HUGE but we put him in the bowl during our filming that never lasts longer than 2 hours TOTAL per week. He's well taken care of :)
3 completely unrelated thoughts: 1) This video is so much better at 1.25 speed. 2) I feel like 3 Mormons went from trying to explain Mormon culture to non-Mormons, to trying to convince 16 and 17-year-old Mormons of the LDS church. In all honesty, it's kinda "meh" now; I wish you would tackle harder topics. 3) Where the heck is Kelly?!?! She disappeared without any explanation--not even a "Hey, Kelly couldn't be here but we wish her well and are going to rotate guest speakers now!" To non-Mormons, that is really weird.
1. I can get behind that. 2. Fair opinion. Mine is much less specific: We just talk about Mormony stuff in hopefully a fun, faith-inspiring way to whoever wants to listen. 3. Honestly I have no idea who Kelly is... do you mean Shelley? The truth is that most hosts are also college students that go on and graduate, get jobs, get married, move away, or just have other obligations, etc. I came on after Shelley, whom I actually haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Anyway, that's mainly why hosts have been switching out. They haven't left the Church if you're wondering haha
Hey, since you actually reply, is there a Sparks notes/kids version of the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, etc? I'm not going to convert but I wouldn't mind learning more . . . I'm just too lazy to wade through all the unnecessary "And now behold, it came to pass" style phrases. ;-)
Haha hey I totally understand. As a Christian I have a heck of a hard time making it through most of the books of the Old Testament. There are several study-guide-esque resources available for the BoM, etc. Let me dig up a few for you... This is the BoM student manual. It's not meant to replace reading the BoM, but rather helps as you go along: www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual?lang=eng Here's the one for the Book of Abraham, etc.: www.lds.org/manual/the-pearl-of-great-price-student-manual?lang=eng And if you really want to distill things, here's a compilation of BoM stories meant for kids (there are even illustrations!): www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/35666_eng.pdf?lang=eng Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions! Feel free to find me on FB or twitter or whatever.
I'd be much more impressed if you conversion story included studying other religions and then making a determination about your beliefs after exposing yourself to a wider range of evidence and ideas. At least you acknowledge that your faith isn't based in evidence and never can be. Very refreshing! It's odd you see the cognitive dissonance you need to apply in order to keep your faith. I think this is where atheists diverge. We take away the cognitive dissonance and so goes the faith. Cool video! Thanks for sharing so honestly!
Essentially what you just said was that I am moron because I want to believe this. In all this does not stand up against anything. A muslim can say the exact same thing as they are an easy religion to disprove as well. At the end of the day then you position is that even if you are still presented with information that is testable and contradicts everything that the BoM states, you will still say that you want to believe and follow something else just because you want to. This is also called lying.
Sure you can see Him, but that's not a privilege granted to 99.99% of us mortals. I expect to be a part of that 99.99% my whole life, frankly. So I suppose there should be a little asterisk next to the word 'cant'. And I have plenty of questions. The most essential and basic being, "does God really exist?" I believe He does, I have faith in it. But the fact that I haven't seen Him with my own two eyes does cause some dissonance, as I expect it does in everyone. But that's the name of the game.
+David Snell I am fortunate that whether God exists has never been a question for me. Please don't take this wrong but I am going to quote Yoda/Luke. Luke: "I can't believe it" Yoda: "That is why you failed" That is one of the things that impressed me about the first vision, that Joseph expected an answer to his question that would be clear to him. My dissonance comes from how can I possibly be forgiven that I just haven't been able to overcome yet. Never the less I am left to hope that really is the case though I need constant reassurance.
I'm glad it's not a question you have! Unlike Luke, I can believe it, I just don't KNOW evidentially with my own two eyes. And I'm OK with that. I wish you luck on the journey you're on regarding your question! That's a tough one, but whether or not we understand how it happens, I'm grateful that it can happen.
+David Snell I am also grateful that the atonement is a possibility even in my case. Remember according to Moroni the miracle/vision usually happens after faith so you may yet have a vision, but probably only if you believe it can and will happen for you. Even Alma who seems like an exception came after his fathers faith. That brings me to a new question if you don't mind. If you don't know God lives, how can you have faith in the Atonement? Just to explain. Though I have had no waking visions I have had strong evidence leaving me with no doubt that God lives, but still I have found it hard to have faith in the Atonement working for me. Alma's conversion is one of the most hopeful and befuddling things I have ever read since he never seems to have back slid.
In response to your question "If you don't know God lives, how can you have faith in the Atonement?" I think it's important to differentiate between the implications of the words "I know" and "I believe." I fully believe God lives. I'm totally confident that He does. But I don't know it physically. I mean, I have physical evidence, sure, but not so much that I've seen Him face to face. I have faith, I believe, and that belief is strong enough for me to have confidence in the Atonement. The first principle of the gospel is to have faith (emphasis on faith) in Jesus Christ, and that's the foundation for then living that same gospel. Christ doesn't ask us to find a way to KNOW he exists before living the gospel. Faith is enough for Christ, and it is for me too. Does that answer your question? I don't think one needs to KNOW God exists to have faith in the Atonement.
For me as a Christian it is extraordinary that this dear man gives his conversion story with absolutely NO reference to the Holy Bible in any way. But this is a very typical of a Mormon conversion testimoney, some never even mention Jesus Christ, in contrast the book of Mormon/Joseph Smith are, and very frequently. Often the BOM is held up to the camera, and they almost plead with viewers to read it, they never ask us to read the Bible, NEVER. Why not,? Because they are taught that the Bible is not translated correctly, this is so important in Mormonism that it has been made an Article of faith ,(8th). They are taught to completely trust everything Joseph Smith taught and wrote, and also all the LDS church leaders teach. (ie, You can't fully trust the the Holy Bible, but you CAN absolutely trust the church's founder and us). This thinking is always at the heart of, and foundational in the cults. This gentlemen is correct, Mormonism has the answers to all the questions that truly matter, but they are always the wrong answers. Don't make the same mistake this dear man has, rather, trust the Bible completely (as Christians have done for 2,000 years, )and the Jesus Christ found in it, Mormonism's Jesus is so very different from the Jesus of the Bible. Kind regards to all, especially tthis gentlemen in this video.
furiskykatt, yup. I am short and look funny, so I guess I am a Troll. Well, I'm not exactly short, I'm 5'3" but in my family that's considered short.... *Jazz Hands!!*
Annabeth Chase, You’re vertically challenged as well? Welcome to the club! I personally am pushing 5‘5.5“ on a good day! #TrollsUnite? Though the TROLL I was referencing was NOT YOU. Sorry I didn’t call out ‘He Who Must Not Be Named,’ I thought the inference was understood. As you get older, you’ll realize that not everything in the world is about you. 😉🤣👍🏻
I have been a life long Muslim, however I left Islam in 2013 and became Christian in 2019. That said, I am interested in Mormonism, because it seems like they practice what they preach. I actually was raised in a Mormon town for 22 years, but never converted, however now I am thinking about it again.
This is 1 year later and I was curious if you ever ended up joining the church
I was born in the church. I was 16 years old when I was converted. My testimony of the restored church of Jesus Christ grew bigger when I served a mission. Thank you for this video. I felt the spirit :)
Kwaku and David, I set foot into The Church today because of you two, and Truman G. Madsen.
I was not invited by anyone including Missionaries.
The Church was ebulliently overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
What a beautiful church and set of people's
I found it interesting as a missionary that I came across so many people from catholic and Protestant up bringings that told people "don't look into that" and "stop studying just accept it on faith". Where as my experience was uchdorf told us to KEEP asking questions and stay open to the spirit and he promised we would find answers. That was a huge moment I knew it was the true church. Especially when I did ask questions and I eventually came across answers. I recently had a question I waited 13 years to find an answer to. But it came as I stayed faithful.
I was baptised this past Saturday 😊 happiest day ever !!
Stephanie Gardner, 😊💙💞 Congrats!!
Stephanie Gardner We are so happy for you!! If you want to send us your conversion story, shoot us a DM or email show@3mormons.com :) We'd love to hear from you!
3 Mormons thank you. I will definitely do that. 😊
Annabeth Chase Thank you so much 😊
Awesomeness 🧡💛❤💚💜💙
I haven’t actually converted yet but I did go to church for the first time just this past Sunday which was pretty exiting for me.
Congrats! The conversion comes with a lot study and prayers!
That's awesome! Hope it was an inspiring experience (and that it continues to be).
I'm in the same place I went for the first time last Sunday. I'm going again this Sunday I haven't actually converted yet either but I'm loving looking into it so far!
Conversion can be a process. I wouldn't worry about it. Just read the Book of Mormon and go from there...
Adventure Everywhere I want to get baptized on May 20th.
Thank you for this. I always say, even though I was raised LDS (although I was inactive for over a decade), I have been converted and it always bothers me when church members identify people as "converts" as I truly believe at one point or another, we have all become converted or we wouldn't continue to be members of our church. It may not be a miraculous event (mine kind of was, to me, at least) but like you said, the conversion continues with daily actions and faith building experiences. I appreciate this video and hope that more "life time" members talk about their conversation and the experiences that confirmed their beliefs when they share their testimonies. Thank you.
I agree with you on this. In wards I have attended, I have seen people moving away from that term. We really are all converts.
I have a very long history in the church from the very beginning. I'm thankful for my pioneer heritage, however it's not there history that will convert me, or anyone else in my family.
It's my Faith, and my hard work and taking the time to read scriptures, to ponder them and praying about it that will determine my testimony!
I'm a faithful saint I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I love feeling the spirit of God 🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏾 in the house of the Lord! I'm a Temple worker, and I know for myself with know doubts that the church is true! Not because my heritage say's I should be a member. 👍🏻💯💜🙏🏻🎄🎅🤶🦌
I remember a fireside talk from Hyrum Wayne Smith, and yes he is a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith the Brother of Joseph Smith. He talked about gaining a testimony and how he gained his. (He was an awesome speaker by the way.) Anyway, he said : "If you haven't doubted, you haven't thought. There is nothing wrong with doubting. There is something wrong with not doing anything about the doubts." It is important to remember while building our testimony that we must do as James and Moroni said - We must {ponder}, that is to question and think about, and study it out in our minds. Then we must pray with real intent, and believe that God will answer prayer. That takes faith, and a desire to know. Once we do that, God promises to answer our prayers with the Holy Ghost. Many have done this and received the promised answer, and so have I. This is the Lord's gospel. This is his church. It is led by him through prophets as it was of old. The Book of Mormon is a true work brought forth to testify along with the Bible that Jesus is the Christ and still directs the affairs of his people today. if we do this, we can have our own testimony of it's truthfulness for ourselves.
beautiful quote
Mormonism cannot answer all questions, but, BUT, can lead in the right direction to answer all those questions. And that direction is the path of the Holy Ghost. And the HG can, CAN, answer all, ALL, questions. Nailed it.
NAILED IT
Again, how do you know it can lead down the right path? Muslims can make the same baseless claims as you by saying you just need to follow Allah.
This is amazing! These last few days I've been struggling with my faith bc of unanswered questions! I've been praying to God to help me stick more on what the Holy Ghost says, to strengthen my faith. This is very wonderful! Thank u so muchhh
Thank you David for this video. As someone who has had many good experiences in the church, but in all honesty struggles with whether or not it's true, your statement of having faith in the truthfulness of the church is really helpful for me. There are things I know, but many more I don't.
I truly appreciate your comment, ijn22. It's great to hear that my video was helpful for you. It's common for people to have doubts and questions, especially when it comes to matters of faith. I believe that having a strong foundation of faith in the truthfulness of the church, as well as being open to learning and exploring, can lead to a deeper understanding and personal testimony of the gospel. I encourage you to continue seeking answers to your questions and to pray for guidance. The journey of faith can be challenging at times, but it can also bring immense joy and fulfillment.
I love your comment, @ijn22. It takes courage to say “I don’t know” if the Church is true. Let God answer your questions, for He has all truth. ❤ Ask Him, in faith, truly desiring to know if the Church is true, and He will help you feel it in your heart. There is so much I don’t understand, but as David mentioned, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ does answer the most important questions, and I find peace and joy in living the gospel. Good luck with your honest seeing for truth. God bless!
Thanks David. Just wanted say that all of life is faith. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I have faith that is will be good and that whatever may come, I will persevere. Everything we do is preceded by faith, going to bed, getting up, going to work, doing stuff around the house, cooking, all of it comes by faith and hope and hopefully love. Anyway, peace to all this Easter.
This is one of my favorite SU videos I've seen in a very long time. Thanks for the great words David.
Another great video that I'm glad I stayed up to binge watch. I too served in the Juarez area as a young man, though I was completely unaware at the time that was actually what I was doing. I thought I was building a fast food empire. It turns out that God was working in me, even then, to feed the hungry and introduce Christ like business practices. Your encounter with the Catholic theologian (twice) was surely a great work of God in you, bearing fruit even now in your more recent theology broken down videos. It is likely that the greatest challenger of your mission is somehow now among your greatest inspirations to excel in that area.
I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but I wasn't converted until I was 20; that was when the realities of life hit me square in the face. Follow David's council and you will make it through with the Lord, and His Spirit as your guide.
As a former catholic,I would love to chat with this catholic theologian and ask him a few questions about catholic church.
Anty Rak just curious, what would you ask?
about the prayers, how do you expect get closer to heavenly father when all the prayers in the church are all the same, how do you expect him to answer when you even can't share your initiate thoughts with him in your prayer? The next one would be; why is the church so focused on the guilt for crucifying the Christ? Why is the church so focused on the Crucifixion instead of the resurrection? The fact that Christ has conquered the death and promised us the same is far more important in my opinion than he got crucified. I would also like to talk about the politics inside the church but this got nothing to do with the faith, in my opinion the church is way too politicized, the pope gets into politics way too much, the whole rivialization for the offices in the church, why are the good priests that serve and don't make much profit for the church are shunned away? I could also ask about the office of priest, but I can understand how historically he process of being ordained as a priest in catholic church worked, but you could make lots of arguments about the office now. Like I'm in the LDS church for over a year and I could be given malzakiedek(or how do you spell it) priesthood but I'm still The Aaronic priest because I don't feel ready and worthy of the higher priesthood.
Anty Rak, you know you're ready when you don't think you're ready.
The first time I went to the Temple, I didn't think I was ready. I was only 12 years old and still getting over some doubts that I had. My grandfather had passed away just 6 months after I was baptized (I was 8 years old) and I was really struggling with the Eternal Family thing. My grandfather wasn't a member and I didn't think that it was possible that Heavenly Father would ever let me see him again. I still had some questions and, frankly, doubts the first time I went to the Temple. I am currently 16. I have been to the Temple many times since I was 12 and the last time I went to the Temple, I was honored to hear the words: "Sister Smith; I baptize you for and in behalf of Joan Francis Smith." My grandma, who had passed away 8 months after my grandpa. I heard "Brother Cooper; I baptize you for and in behalf of Eldon George Smith." when my older brother took his place in the font and was baptized for my grandpa. My best (boy) friends dad was the Priesthood holder for both.
From what I read, I can tell that you're strong in the gospel. I know this sounds corny, but it's true. Pray about it and I'll pray, too. The most ready people to do something, are the people who don't think that they are.
God Speed, Brother.
-Ace Smyth
(Rachel Smith > Real name)
(Annabeth Chase > Role Play character)
(Ace Smyth > Nickname: Ace because take out R H L out of Rachel and Smyth because it the original spelling of my family's name)
Anty Rak LDS and there is a cross on your image?
yeah, i made this profile way before joining the church and never got around changing the avatar and I like the picture :)
Love the P-day picture when you started talking about your mission.
Amazing tan line right?
David Snell, definitely.
Beautiful story, i agree with everything that you said. The church doesn't offer all the answers, sometimes we just have to walk by faith, but it sure beats living out in the world, which doesn't even offer hope or faith!
Can you guys do a video about how to take notes for general conference or in sacrament meeting?
Cool idea! Yes, thanks for the suggestion!
I personally just write whatever impressions come to me while listening to a talk. Even on some occasions I have written impressions that had nothing to do with a particular talk, but what the Spirit impressed upon me at the time instead. Personal revelation is what I seek, as I try my best to be in tune, and personal it is, so I suggest just making the notes that help you to remember your revelations, however small those impressions and thoughts seem to be. No one else will be seeing your notes anyway, unless you feel like sharing them. I have never heard a boring talk since I started to do this, because revelations are never boring to me. Just my two cents worth anyway.
Thank you for sharing your testimony and sweet spirit . Keep it up ❤️
That was a really great video
I love you man. Awesome conversion story. The honest truth is what really gets to people. 13th article of Faith.
Hey guys, we're new to the channel. Just discovered you. Love the content here. We're LDS and vlog about traveling with teens. I think you have a good point about being raised LDS...and probably why serving a mission is so important. It does challenge your testimony (as you point out).
Adventure Everywhere Welcome to the channel! Thanks for joining us:)
Thank you for your testimony David. It was moving!
Midnight Mormons brought me here. Thank you for sharing your story
Can’t believe you served in Juarez! I’m from El Paso!
I'm a member and have no questions really. I wonder what his questions are.
Thanks for sharing. As I recall, the New Testament indicates that faith is the assurance of things that we don't see, which are true. Assurance is a spiritual sense of comfort or confidence, or divine witness. Belief may be placed in something unseen that may not be true. Faith motivates action. Belief may be static.
There is nothing wrong with being an intellectual convert. Exercise the faith you do have, invite the Spirit with the actions you can justify, and prove Christ's promises so that you can be ready to nourish those who seek more.
awesome talk, Thank you for sharing it!!
You served exactly where my dad served! He went to Chihuahua Mexico and did spend some time in Ciudad Juarez.
We love you David. Keep the Faith . Lots of Love the Luna family ❤🧡💚💜💛💙
Great video mate thank you!
I took a buddy of mine (a missionary), we were both missionaries, to a party outside the mission. We had permission from the mission president. My friend who invited us was a NASA scientist, and she called the president, who in turn called us and said, go. My companion didn't want to go, but another missionary did, and the president gave us the mission van.
The party was full of erudite people from many walks of life. My missionary friend Delvin Humble soon fell in to talking to a Jesuit priest, so I left him to seal his fate, for I was dumb, but not dumb enough to talk religion with a Jusuit! Of course, Delvin got eaten up, and on our way back to the mission, he castigated me for not coming to help him.
“Listen, man, I didn't tell you to debate a Jesuit!” I told him. Anyway, that's my story.
I love, love, LOVE that you emphasize what you 'know'. I have faith that all these things are true. There have been times that I think God put me in a specific place to do work for him. That's all it is, faith, belief, and thoughts. I can't know those things. So many people testimonies say that "I know this church is true" and, I don't like that. I don't think it's accurate. "true" in that everything said to date is completely correct and can't be added on? 'True' as in it tells you everything you need to know? 'Know' as in faith is pointless because you've seen proof of the churches truthfulness? What does 'the church' entail? The people, culture, or doctrines? The more my faith and belief has grown, the more I don't like the saying "I know the church is true". I would much rather say "I believe that the atonement has helped me overcome some of my faults", or "I think that [insert thing church authority said here] is good to impliment in our lives." "true", "know", and "church" are too vague and inaccurate. I have a mission interview tomorrow, and I'm so excited to share this good thing with others it might help, even though I don't fully understand everything in it. I will never fully understand everything, because that's what progression is about. I am actively choosing to believe, but I have experiences to back that belief up. Your testimony rang true for me. Thank you, Sir!
Thank you 👍for this
Love this. ❤
☺
Did you mean you believed all that God had revealed to you, all that he did then (and does now) reveal to you, and all that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God?
I'm not a member of your church, again thank you for your story 🙏
Just subscribed
No religion can answer all or even most questions, in my opinion. How Catholics or any religion can insult and make fun of another is mind boggling.
Agios o Theos, Agios Ishiros, Agios Athanatos Eleison Eemas. Amen. Thanks for this.
How would you answer the Catholics question about why you call yourself an elder now? Or is that still a question you don't have an answer to?
To put it in the most simple terms: It is a priesthood office of the higher priesthood and does not refer to a person's age. You have to be a worthy male of at least 18 years old to be called as an Elder. Timothy in the New testament was ordained an "Elder" by Paul while a young man. It is the lowest office of the Melchizedek priesthood. Missionaries use this title before their names while on their missions and general authorities use this title as well. Most Melchizedek priesthood holders generally do no use Elder as a title with their names.
I've been asked that many times since then. I usually just say that "Elder" was sort of another way of saying "teacher" in ancient times. So, while we may not be elderly in age, we do consider ourselves teachers.
@@KevlarX2 Are you still an elder if you apostatize and then come back to mormonism?
Omg I'm from Ciudad Juárez
The church is amazing
Being a convert and serving a mission I would get ppl posing some self deprecation because they look at themselves in comparison. EVERYONE in this church or any church has to convert to some level. I did not join the church from NO faith whatsoever and some people have endured hardships I never faced. It doesnt mean your faith struggles are any less than anyone elses. I believe our struggles will garner mercy in the next life. Besides we know ppl with goodly parents, seminary grad, mission, temple marriage etc that said Naw Im done. Why some choose to stay and why some leave, is a mystery
Chair scoot at 11:31???
Hahahaha boy I sure hope so. I was pretty nervous...
How do you get to heaven?
You should have had a copy of, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, with you!
Hi David, would you be willing to have a private conversation about mormonism? Just a nice civil and peaceful discussion. Perhaps give me your email...
Hope to hear from you.
"I have questions out the wazoo."
Question 1: What is a wazoo?
AMEN! You remind me of Anti-Nephi-Lehi Conversion.
"Faith and reason are like two wings upon which we rise to the truth" Meaning no disrespect just want to push bacm on a few things in this testimony...
This concept of merely praying about something and earnestly believing it then it must be true is self fallacious. I mean i am sure that the thousands of muslim and catholic martyrs believed even until death thst their belief was true... and the claims at around 9:30 that we can know xyz. How can we reliably beyond reasonable doubt believe that the mormon church is right?
The orthodox have an easy way to deal with this -- the Uncreated is a mystery and it is not for us to completely "get it" or have all the answers. Ever notice you don't see orthodox monks engaging in online religious debates? why do you think that is? I'm ok with faith, too.
For your assertion on the 'Uncreated' aspect you mentioned, there is logical flaws in it. The Diamond brothers at MHFM have videos refuting this. Check it out when you get a chance.
Your story is a works based salvation brother. Only Christ can save you. Turn from this false religion and run full speed to the bloody cross of Jesus Christ.
So, you keep the thumbnail of the life long member white man's "conversion story" and you kick the black man off of his thumbnail...guys. You're probably not racist, but you gotta know how this looks, right? Answers need to come. You can't ignore Kwaku anymore
Could someone please get that goldfish a bigger tank? It's recommended that one to two goldfish have a least a 20 gallon tank, they can have very long life spans if they are cared for properly . . . or get a beta fish they can thrive in small tanks!
Meg A Thank you for your concern. His home is actually HUGE but we put him in the bowl during our filming that never lasts longer than 2 hours TOTAL per week. He's well taken care of :)
Thanks for replying, I'm VERY GLAD to hear that he is well cared for! :)
3 completely unrelated thoughts: 1) This video is so much better at 1.25 speed. 2) I feel like 3 Mormons went from trying to explain Mormon culture to non-Mormons, to trying to convince 16 and 17-year-old Mormons of the LDS church. In all honesty, it's kinda "meh" now; I wish you would tackle harder topics. 3) Where the heck is Kelly?!?! She disappeared without any explanation--not even a "Hey, Kelly couldn't be here but we wish her well and are going to rotate guest speakers now!" To non-Mormons, that is really weird.
1. I can get behind that.
2. Fair opinion. Mine is much less specific: We just talk about Mormony stuff in hopefully a fun, faith-inspiring way to whoever wants to listen.
3. Honestly I have no idea who Kelly is... do you mean Shelley? The truth is that most hosts are also college students that go on and graduate, get jobs, get married, move away, or just have other obligations, etc. I came on after Shelley, whom I actually haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Anyway, that's mainly why hosts have been switching out. They haven't left the Church if you're wondering haha
Thanks for explaining!!!!! (Yes, I did mean Shelley! My bad.)
Hey, since you actually reply, is there a Sparks notes/kids version of the Book of Mormon, Book of Abraham, etc? I'm not going to convert but I wouldn't mind learning more . . . I'm just too lazy to wade through all the unnecessary "And now behold, it came to pass" style phrases. ;-)
Haha hey I totally understand. As a Christian I have a heck of a hard time making it through most of the books of the Old Testament. There are several study-guide-esque resources available for the BoM, etc. Let me dig up a few for you...
This is the BoM student manual. It's not meant to replace reading the BoM, but rather helps as you go along: www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual?lang=eng
Here's the one for the Book of Abraham, etc.: www.lds.org/manual/the-pearl-of-great-price-student-manual?lang=eng
And if you really want to distill things, here's a compilation of BoM stories meant for kids (there are even illustrations!): www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/35666_eng.pdf?lang=eng
Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions! Feel free to find me on FB or twitter or whatever.
I'd be much more impressed if you conversion story included studying other religions and then making a determination about your beliefs after exposing yourself to a wider range of evidence and ideas. At least you acknowledge that your faith isn't based in evidence and never can be. Very refreshing! It's odd you see the cognitive dissonance you need to apply in order to keep your faith. I think this is where atheists diverge. We take away the cognitive dissonance and so goes the faith. Cool video! Thanks for sharing so honestly!
First?
yes you are
Essentially what you just said was that I am moron because I want to believe this. In all this does not stand up against anything. A muslim can say the exact same thing as they are an easy religion to disprove as well. At the end of the day then you position is that even if you are still presented with information that is testable and contradicts everything that the BoM states, you will still say that you want to believe and follow something else just because you want to. This is also called lying.
Who told you that you can't see God?
What Questions do you have that cause you cognitive dissonance that you don't have an answer for?
Sure you can see Him, but that's not a privilege granted to 99.99% of us mortals. I expect to be a part of that 99.99% my whole life, frankly. So I suppose there should be a little asterisk next to the word 'cant'. And I have plenty of questions. The most essential and basic being, "does God really exist?" I believe He does, I have faith in it. But the fact that I haven't seen Him with my own two eyes does cause some dissonance, as I expect it does in everyone. But that's the name of the game.
+David Snell I am fortunate that whether God exists has never been a question for me.
Please don't take this wrong but I am going to quote Yoda/Luke.
Luke: "I can't believe it"
Yoda: "That is why you failed"
That is one of the things that impressed me about the first vision, that Joseph expected an answer to his question that would be clear to him.
My dissonance comes from how can I possibly be forgiven that I just haven't been able to overcome yet. Never the less I am left to hope that really is the case though I need constant reassurance.
I'm glad it's not a question you have! Unlike Luke, I can believe it, I just don't KNOW evidentially with my own two eyes. And I'm OK with that. I wish you luck on the journey you're on regarding your question! That's a tough one, but whether or not we understand how it happens, I'm grateful that it can happen.
+David Snell I am also grateful that the atonement is a possibility even in my case.
Remember according to Moroni the miracle/vision usually happens after faith so you may yet have a vision, but probably only if you believe it can and will happen for you. Even Alma who seems like an exception came after his fathers faith.
That brings me to a new question if you don't mind.
If you don't know God lives, how can you have faith in the Atonement?
Just to explain. Though I have had no waking visions I have had strong evidence leaving me with no doubt that God lives, but still I have found it hard to have faith in the Atonement working for me. Alma's conversion is one of the most hopeful and befuddling things I have ever read since he never seems to have back slid.
In response to your question "If you don't know God lives, how can you have faith in the Atonement?"
I think it's important to differentiate between the implications of the words "I know" and "I believe." I fully believe God lives. I'm totally confident that He does. But I don't know it physically. I mean, I have physical evidence, sure, but not so much that I've seen Him face to face. I have faith, I believe, and that belief is strong enough for me to have confidence in the Atonement.
The first principle of the gospel is to have faith (emphasis on faith) in Jesus Christ, and that's the foundation for then living that same gospel. Christ doesn't ask us to find a way to KNOW he exists before living the gospel. Faith is enough for Christ, and it is for me too. Does that answer your question? I don't think one needs to KNOW God exists to have faith in the Atonement.
I can't stand you people. You talk, talk, talk and say nothing. You explain NOTHING!
That is one weak conversion story.
For me as a Christian it is extraordinary that this dear man gives his conversion story with absolutely NO reference to the Holy Bible in any way.
But this is a very typical of a Mormon conversion testimoney, some never even mention Jesus Christ, in contrast the book of Mormon/Joseph Smith are, and very frequently.
Often the BOM is held up to the camera, and they almost plead with viewers to read it, they never ask us to read the Bible, NEVER.
Why not,? Because they are taught that the Bible is not translated correctly, this is so important in Mormonism that it has been made an
Article of faith ,(8th).
They are taught to completely trust everything Joseph Smith taught and wrote, and also all the LDS church leaders teach.
(ie, You can't fully trust the the Holy Bible, but you CAN absolutely trust the church's founder and us). This thinking is always at the heart of, and foundational in the cults.
This gentlemen is correct, Mormonism has the answers to all the questions that truly matter, but they are always the wrong answers.
Don't make the same mistake this dear man has, rather, trust the Bible completely (as Christians have done for 2,000 years, )and the Jesus Christ found in it, Mormonism's Jesus is so very different from the Jesus of the Bible.
Kind regards to all, especially tthis gentlemen in this video.
@@geoffnoyes520 context is important the way they do it on this channel.
Have you ever thought of becoming a Christian
Howard Stern, He's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.... I'm pretty sure that means he's Christian.
Ah! The TROLL has emerged. 🤣
furiskykatt, yup. I am short and look funny, so I guess I am a Troll. Well, I'm not exactly short, I'm 5'3" but in my family that's considered short.... *Jazz Hands!!*
+howard Stern what is your definition of a Christian?
Annabeth Chase, You’re vertically challenged as well? Welcome to the club! I personally am pushing 5‘5.5“ on a good day! #TrollsUnite?
Though the TROLL I was referencing was NOT YOU. Sorry I didn’t call out ‘He Who Must Not Be Named,’ I thought the inference was understood.
As you get older, you’ll realize that not everything in the world is about you. 😉🤣👍🏻